Scrunchy Braid

This style looks way more difficult than it actually is. It's all about being delicate when you "scrunch" up your braid.

The "Scrunchy" Braid:

Step 1: Separate a section of hair next to your part, either in the front or middle of your head (I chose the middle).

Step 2: Start a standard braid, keep it loose all the way to the end. If you can, pay attention to which strand you started with and try to end with that piece identified (need this info for the next step).

Step 3: When you finish the braid, combine two of the strands together in one hand and keep one strand separate (the strand you started the braid with).

Step 4: Tightly hold this single strand of hair straight down as you slide up the hair in your other hand (with the two combined pieces of hair) and let the hair gather into a "scrunchy" braid.

Step 5: Evenly space out the "scrunches" and since you pushed up the braid, you will have a few inches of unbraided hair. So, just finish up with a standard braid and secure with a hair tie. (You can see in the bottom picture where I had to finish off the braid.)

Hairstyle for a Rainy Day AKA Feelin' Like a Pirate Today

"Rain, rain DON'T go away,

Come and wash all the snow away!"

This rainy day has made my hair frizzy and unmanageable...and kinda greasy, but I still welcome the rain! It's cleaning off this filthy Earth...snow removal makes everything so disgusting and the rain cleans it all up. Thank you Mother Nature!

Let's get back to the topic of hair though. I didn't want to do another French Braid for today's tutorial because we all need some variety (but I have plenty more French Braid ideas).

I can't really put it into words what gave me this feeling, but my hair-do today made me feel like I have pirate hair. If I become a pirate, sailing the seas and stealing loot, then I will wear my hair like this everyday, that's all.

Try out this style I'm calling, The Picaroon (found this word on a reputable pirate jargon website, defined as a rascal, pirate):

Step 1: Do a side part and separate a section of hair next to your part. Separate this section of hair into two even pieces.

Step 2: Cross hair over and make a knot.

Step 3: Try to hold that knot tightly as you grab two sections of hair under the first knot adding to the hair from your first knot. With the newly sectioned hair, make another knot, trying to hold it tight (it's inevitable that it will become loose I found out).

Step 4: Repeat Step 3, making a third knot.

Step 5: Secure knotted hair with hair tie. Incorporate the rest of your hair with the knotted hair and complete style with a side braid.

"It's a sunny sunny morning, sunny all the time!"

The sun was shining bright today and showing the world signs of rejuvenation and growth. However, I did tell the sun that I hated it at some point because it was shining in my eyes, creating traffic on Route 80 and it was messing up my hair photos for this post. Overall, I welcome the sun's mystical powers....it's the glare that I am not fond of. My title is inspired by my Dad, who would wake up my sister and I most mornings by singing his version of a Strawberry Shortcake show song, "Smile a Sunny Morning."

I almost passed on doing a hairstyle for Braidy Blog this morning, then 2 miles from our exit I motivated myself to do this style really quickly. 

Faux Hawk French Braid:

Step 1: Take a decent size chunk of hair from the front of your head and start your braid, keeping the first cycle pretty loose to create a puff.

Step 2: Continue creating a French Braid by adding hair into the braid from each side, one or two times, paying attention to keep it the same width all the way to the back of your head.

Step 3: Finish with a regular braid.

Step 4: Pull up the rest of your hair into a ponytail. Twist the ponytail and make a bun, secure with clip or hair tie.

Step 5: Wrap the braid around the bun. Tuck the end into the bun and secure with bobby pin.

voila-la!!!

Knot Your Average Style

Don't hate me for the puns in my titles...I can't resist!

I hope all my readers didn't miss me too much... I've been so lazy with my hair the last few days. All that I could muster up was a messy bun and no one needs a tutorial to do that one.

Check out this Double Knot Style:

(Either do it to the side or directly in the back of your head)

Step 1: Separate hair equally into two sections.

Step 2: Cross one section over the other and make a knot (tighten it up or keep it loose, whatever you prefer).

Step 3: Make a second knot and secure with hair tie.

Double Dutch Rope Braids

Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody!!

I'm on my way to a St. Patty's Day celebration to do some Irish Dancing at the best restaurant in New Jersey, The Grand Cafe, so I need make this short and sweet so that I can get ready. 

This style shall be named, Double Dutch Rope Braid (naming credit to Jill Gray):

Step 1: Part your hair (however you prefer). Take a decent chunk of hair on the front right side of the part and complete a tight braid.

Step 2: Repeat the second sentence from Step 1, but on the left side.

Step 3: Next, I combed the rest of my hair back and teased the hair in the back to make it a little puffy. 

Step 4: Take the two braids, wrap them around each other at the back of your head.

Step 5: Secure ends of both braids with a bobby pin under the cross crossed braids.

Here are some pictures from our St Patty's Day Irish Dance out at the Grand Cafe!!!

Braid'n in the Middle of Knowhere!

Today was my first hair fail since starting Braidy Blog, but do not panic, I pulled it together at the last second and created a thinkin' out-of-the-box kind of style.

This morning while sitting in the passenger seat heading to work, I tried to pull off a guide for a Waterfall braid, but it went downhill fast (if you don't know what I'm talking about, Google "waterfall braid", I caution you to sit while viewing the images, as they are breathtaking).

So when my original plan didn't work out, I picked myself up, dusted myself off and decided I would do a French Braid right in the middle of my head with a small regular braid in the front for added texture. 

So here is my alternate how-to hair-do for the day.

Middle of *Knowhere Braids:

Step 1: Part your hair to the side. Separate section of your hair directly above your ear (a random spot, I think).

Step 2: Complete a French Braid down to your ear and finish with standard braid. Try to keep it the same width from your part to your ear. 

Step 3: Add a small braid somewhere between your forehead and the French Braid.

Step 4: Brush all your hair to the side and   Finish with one braid.

*"Knowhere" is from "Guardians of the Galaxy", a place at edge of the universe. It's my favorite movie right now (give this movie a try, you will fall in love).

Braid Hangover

This is going to be short and sweet. The second best thing about braiding your hair (the first being the braid itself) is taking out your braid and having CRIMPY hair. And when you do a braid braided into a braid into another braid....well, the most magical thing happens...heavenly crimpy, curly hair.

My hair is naturally pin straight so I couldn't imagine how much better this braid hangover would look on wavy or curly hair!! Someone with curly hair, please show me what your hair looks like when you take out your braids.

Hippie Ramblings & an AWESOME Braid idea

I'm a hippie at heart. Love is all you need to survive in this mixed up world. Mo' money, mo' problems (not like I know about that, lol). And another thing I believe is that people should try to not let fear dictate life decisions and let's just be peaceful and accepting (please watch the movie, "V for Vendetta"; it taught me a lot about not giving into fear).

Sorry, just having a moment of self-realization, my braids bring me back to my hippie inner self (since in my previous life, I was clearly a protesting flower child preaching about peace and love). Back to my hair tutorial. This is one of my FAVORITE braid styles!! Please try this and let me know if it comes out good.

Double French Braid into Side Braid:

Step 1: Grab a small section of hair from the center of your forehead.

Step 2: Using this section of hair, complete a French Braid to right above your ear.

Step 3: Separate a small section of hair directly behind your French Braid.

Step 4: Complete a second French Braid next to the first braid and when you are approaching the hair near your ear, combine the two braid together to make one single braid.

Step 5 (optional): Since I love side braids, I completed this style with a side braid.

Messy hair day, no brush needed

Let's all celebrate that the sun came out today and is melting all this snow. Nothing can get me down today, not my frizzy hair, not the complex bundle of knots all over my giant head of hair, not even this awful crick in my neck because SPRING is in the air. 

It was probably not a great idea that I haven't brushed my hair since Friday, but with some perseverance, I got most of the knots out and was able to do a quick hairstyle for my blog today. Nothing fancy and I actually think my hair looked better the more messy I made it.

Here's a Loopy-Loo Puff w/ Messy Side Braid:

Step 1: Grab front section of hair between two fingers.

Step 2: Loop this hair around your pointer finger.

Step 3: Push section of hair forward in a puff and secure loop with clip/bobby pin.

Step 4: Pull the rest of your hair to the side and braid loosely and secure with hair tie. I loosened up my braid even more after adding the hair tie to make it more messy.

Friday Fun Braids

Some days I need to give my hair follicles a break and leave my hair down. I usually add one braid just for fun or maybe even three. Something like this:

Make three small braids, spaced out from each other, then braid those three braids together.

Snow Day, Hair Day...Knot a Bad Idea

Like everyone else, I'm so tired of the cold temperatures and snowy, icy weather. This Winter needs to end before we all go crazy with cabin fever. But, all that we can do is find the positives...is what I keep telling myself.

Today when I woke up and realized that I would need to burn another vacation day due to the weather, I decided to make the best of it and enjoy every second of quality time with my husband and son. We accomplished nothing productive but had tons of fun. 

I guess I did accomplish one thing today, so here's my instructions for a Knotted Up-do. All dressed up with no where to go!

Guide to a Knotted Up-do:

Step 1: Separate a small section of hair at the top of your head.

Step 2: Split this section of hair in half and knot it, as tightly as possible.

Step 3: Grab a new section of hair from each side of your head and incorporate these pieces into the hair that you just knotted together. Now complete another knot with the newly added hair, remember to hold the knot as tightly as possible.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3 two more times, or as many times as it takes you to get all hair into the knots. After the final knot, use a hair tie to secure hair. 

Step 5 (optional): Tuck loose hair under and secure with bobby pins (since my hair is long, this is no easy task and takes many bobby pins).

French Braid, oh la la! Simple yet Elegant

If you can do a French Braid, a whole world of both formal and funky hair styles will be at your fingertips! I'm convinced that the possibilities are endless; I keep finding new ways to braid my hair. I'm going to show you how I do a standard French Braid, but I'm positive that everyone has their own tricks and tips that work for them. And yes, I'm wearing a robe. I strongly believe that everyone should wear a robe when in the comfort of their home especially during the winter months, but that is neither here nor there.

When I learned how to do a French Braid, the hardest part was figuring out how to hold the three pieces of hair while also incorporating the new sections of hair into the braid. Let's give this a try!

Standard French Braid:

Step 1) Brush hair back and separate a section of hair at the top of your head.

Step 2) Take the hair that you just separated, split it up into three even sections and complete one standard braid "cycle".

Step 3) Carefully place the three pieces of hair in one hand so that you can grab a new section of hair with your other hand. (Utilize those digits to securely separate the three sections: use the index, middle and pointer finger and then rest your thumb against those three fingers to make sure the hair doesn't come lose THEN start incorporating new pieces of hair.)

Step 4) Add the new section of hair into your braid (the piece held with your pointer finger). 

Step 5) Repeat Step 3 and 4, rotating sides, until all hair is added into the braid. Finish with a standard braid.

Please comment with any tricks or tips that you can add to these instructions.

French braid headband

While my husband drives us to work everyday, I braid my hair in the car. I'm sure I drive him nuts because my hair is flying around everywhere. But, on the bright side, our long commute allows me to try out new styles everyday.

Here's my tutorial for a French Braid Headband:

Step 1) Brush all your hair to one side of your head.

Step 2) Determine how wide you want the French Braid. Separate a section of hair by your ear. 

Step 3) Start your braid. I always put the most effort into keeping it neat for the first few crisscrosses to have a good base.

Step 4) Continue the French Braid to the opposite ear and finish it up with a standard braid. 

I always put my hair into a side pony tail because I can't work with my hair down. I hope these instructions are helpful. I will do a regular French Braid tutorial soon for anyone who needs some help getting that down pat. 

Good place to start: What to do when you run out of conditioner

Welcome to Braidy Blog everyone! It was almost perfect that today of all days, my first day blogging my hair styles, that I would run out of conditioner in the shower. When this tragedy falls upon you, don't fret. Try this multi-braid hair-do. No need to brush your tangled tresses. You don't even have to dry your hair.

Step 1: Delicately separate your knotty hair into three sections.

Step 2: Braid all three sections of hair tightly to you head, making three separate braids.

Step 3: Braid those three braids into one MEGABRAID.

Step 4 (optional): Tuck and secure the MEGABRAID into a fancy bun-ish do (see pic on right).